Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority

Last updated
Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority
Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority logo.png
StanRTA bus at Modesto Transportation Center, May 2022.JPG
StanRTA bus at Modesto Transportation Center in May 2022
Founded2021
DefunctCity Transit (1927–1932), Modesto Motor Bus Service (1932–1973), Intracity Transit (1973–1990), Modesto Area Express (1990–2021), Stanislaus Regional Transit
Headquarters1001 9th Street
Locale Modesto, California
Service area Modesto and Stanislaus County, California
Service type Bus service, Dial-a-Ride
Routes30
Hubs Modesto Transportation Center, Vintage Faire Mall
Fleet MCI, Gillig, Proterra
OperatorTransdev North America
Website Official website

The Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority, branded as The S, is a public transportation bus system serving Modesto, California and surrounding Stanislaus County. It was formed in 2021 from the merger of the Modesto Area Express (MAX) and Stanislaus Regional Transit (StaRT) systems. Most routes connect at the downtown Modesto Transportation Center; the Vintage Faire Mall serves as a secondary hub.

Contents

History

Modesto intracity service

Originally, passengers in Modesto were served by streetcars over the short-line Modesto Interurban Railway from 1911 to 1917, operated intermittently first by the Tidewater Southern Railway; the Modesto and Empire Traction Company was founded on October 7, 1911, and began regularly scheduled passenger service between Modesto and Empire on November 1 of that year. Passenger service was discontinued in 1917 after freight became more important. [1]

Public bus transportation service in Modesto started on September 19, 1927, when the City Transit Company (CTC), a private venture, began operations under a city franchise. CTC ran a single bus on a 30-minute schedule, but soon added two more buses to expand service throughout Modesto. [2]

City Transit told the City Council they would renew its liability insurance in June 1932 as a condition to keep the franchise; [3] however, struggling with profitability, the franchise was transferred to a new owner three months later in September 1932. The privately owned Modesto Motor Bus Service (MBS) took over and ran transit operations in Modesto through 1973, serving a peak of one million riders in 1945 due to wartime shortages of gasoline and automobiles. The 1955 map of four routes resembled a cloverleaf in shape; [2] that year, MBS petitioned the California Public Utilities Commission to raise fares from 15 to 20 cents, with losses projected to be US$7,000(equivalent to $71,000 in 2021) that year. [4]

ex-Intracity Transit GM New Look bus #20126 (photographed in 2006) GM 1970s bus 1 3 (247694123).jpg
ex-Intracity Transit GM New Look bus #20126 (photographed in 2006)

By 1968, the unreliability of the aging MBS fleet led the city to purchase four new GM "old-look" transit buses, [5] [6] :120 which were then leased to MBS to improve its financial health. At the time, MBS was owned and operated by Willis M. Kleinenbroich, who was responsible for maintaining, driving, and dispatching the buses. [6] :120 By 1973, with the service continuing to lose money, Kleinenbroich attempted to sell the company but found no private buyers; instead, it was acquired by the city of Modesto in 1973 and renamed to Intracity Transit. [2] The city would continue to purchase several GM New Look buses in 1973 and 1976. [7] [8] Modesto subsequently rebranded it as Modesto Area Express in 1990. [2]

As the New Look fleet aged, Modesto replaced them with mid-size Rapid Transit Series (1980), [9] Gillig Phantom, and Gillig Low Floor buses; for the longer suburban/commuter express routes, Modesto has used MCI D-Series highway coaches.

Stanislaus County intercity services

Stanislaus Regional Transit was a division of the Stanislaus County Department of Public Works, which operated fixed intercity routes, mainly within the county; one route connected to neighboring Merced County. [10]

Merger

A 2019 Transit Efficiency and Innovations Study recommended the merger of MAX and StaRT [11] and on January 26, 2021, the Modesto City Council and the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors each approved the merger, forming the new Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. [12]

Routes

RouteNameLegacy systemTerminusvia (Destinations)TerminusTyp. headway (minutes)Notes / Refs.
10Modesto/TurlockStaRTModesto (Modesto Transportation Center) SR 99
(CSUS)
Turlock (Central Park)60 [13]
15Modesto, Ceres, Keyes, TurlockStaRTModesto (Modesto Transportation Center) SR 99
(Ceres, Keyes, CSUS)
Turlock (Central Park)90 [14]
21Downtown to Robertson RoadMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)H, Sutter, Robertson, and Paradise
(Modesto HS)
Modesto (Modesto Transportation Center)15 (M-F)
30 (Sa)
60 (Su)
[15]
22Downtown to McHenry/Vintage Faire Mall MAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)McHenry and Standiford
(McHenry Village, Vintage Faire Mall)
Modesto (Vintage Faire Mall)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[16]
23Downtown to McHenryMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)McHenryModesto (McKenry & Kiernan)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[17]
24Downtown to Sylvan AvenueMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)Scenic, Surrey, and Lakewood
(Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, Enochs HS)
Modesto (Roselle & Sylvan)60 (M-F) [18]
25Downtown to Orangeburg/Vintage Faire MallMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)Miller, Claus, Orangeburg & Sisk
(Amtrak)
Modesto (Vintage Faire Mall)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[19]
26Downtown to Carpenter RoadMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)Paradise, Carpenter & Maze
(Central Catholic HS)
Modesto (Modesto Transportation Center)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[20]
28Downtown to Salida and MallMAXModesto (Vintage Faire Mall)Dale, Pirrone/Kiernan & Broadway
(Gregori HS)
Modesto (Bacon & Toomes)60 (M–F) [21]
29Downtown to Crows Landing/JFK Training CenterMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)9th, Nadine & HatchModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[22]
30Downtown to Modesto Junior College East Campus/Prescott Road/Vintage Faire MallMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)College, Roseburg, Carver & Standiford
(Modesto Junior College East)
Modesto (Vintage Faire Mall)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[23]
31Downtown to Modesto Junior College East/Tully/Pelandale Ave/Vintage Faire MallMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)9th, Tully & Pelandale
(Davis HS, Modesto Junior College East)
Modesto (Vintage Faire Mall)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[24]
32Downtown to Mable AvenueMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)Scenic, Coffee, & Mable
(Downey HS, Beyer HS)
Modesto (Modesto Transportation Center)30 (M-F)
60 (Sa,Su)
[25]
33Downtown to Poust Road/Modesto Junior College West CampusMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)9th, Woodland, Carpenter, & California
(Modesto Junior College East & West, Central Catholic HS, Modesto HS)
Modesto (Modesto Transportation Center)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[26]
35Escalon Transit (eTrans)eTrans / MAX Escalon McHenryModesto (Vintage Faire Mall)3 daily trips [27]
36Downtown to Central Valley Plaza/Vintage Faire MallMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)Rouse, Carpenter, & Sisk
(Modesto Junior College West, Central Catholic HS)
Modesto (Vintage Faire Mall)30 (M-F)
60 (Sa,Su)
[28]
37Downtown to Rumble Road/Vintage Faire MallMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)Yosemite, Oakdale, Sylvan, & Rumble
(Beyer HS, Davis HS)
Modesto (Vintage Faire Mall)30 (M-F)
60 (Sa,Su)
[29]
38Airport neighborhood (Empire & Oregon) - Downtown ModestoMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)9th, D, & Yosemite
(Modesto City–County Airport)
Modesto (Modesto Transportation Center)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[30]
40Modesto, Grayson, Westley, PattersonStaRTModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)Crows Landing, Grayson, & SR 33
(Ceres, Grayson, Westley, Patterson, Modesto Junior College East)
Patterson (Veterans Memorial Park)105 (M–F) [31]
41Downtown to Vintage Faire Mall ExpressMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center) SR 99
(Vintage Faire Mall)
Modesto (Modesto Transportation Center)30 (M-F)
60 (Sa,Su)
[32]
42Downtown to Tucson Avenue/Community Services BuildingMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center) SR 99, Crows Landing, Whitmore, & Hatch
(Community Services Agency)
Modesto (Modesto Transportation Center)30 (M-Sa)
60 (Su)
[33]
44Formerly Ceres Area Transit – Blacker & Hackett to Herndon & HatchCeres Area Transit / MAX Ceres (Herndon & Hatch)Hatch, Mitchell, & Whitmore Ceres (Blaker & Hackett)60 [34]
45EPatterson to TurlockStaRTPatterson (Veterans Memorial Park)E. Las Palmas & West Main
(CSUS)
Turlock (Central Park)8 round trips (M–F) [35]
45WGustine, Newman, Crows Landing, PattersonStaRTGustine (City Park) SR 33
(Newman, Crows Landing)
Patterson (Veterans Memorial Park)9 round trips (M–F)
5 round trips (Sa)
[36]
60Modesto, Riverbank, OakdaleStaRTModesto (Modesto Transportation Center)College, McHenry, Claribel, Oakdale, Patterson, & SR 108
SR 99, Dale, & Kiernan (Sat)
(Riverbank, Oakdale)
Oakdale (Maag & F)75+ (M–F)
120 (Sa)
[37]
61Modesto, Empire, Waterford, Hickman, Hughson, CeresStaRTModesto (Modesto Transportation Center) SR 132, Hickman, & Whitmore
(Modesto City–County Airport, Empire, Waterford, Hickman, Hughson, Ceres)
Waterford (Yosemite & Western)120 (M–Sa) [38]
ACE CommuterModesto, Vintage Faire Park & Ride, Lathrop ACE stationMAXModesto (Vintage Faire Mall; some routes originate from Modesto Transportation Center and stop at Vintage Faire) SR 120, Airport, & YosemiteLathrop (Lathrop/Manteca station)7 round trips (M–F) [39]
BART Commuter - ModestoModesto, Vintage Faire Park & Ride, Dublin/Pleasanton BART stationMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center & Vintage Faire Mall) I-580 Dublin (Dublin/Pleasanton BART station)3 round trips (M–F) [40]
BART Commuter - Turlock / PattersonTurlock, Patterson, Dublin/Pleasanton BART station StaRTTurlock (Fall Transit Center) & Patterson (Walmart)West Main, I-5, & I-580 Dublin (Dublin/Pleasanton BART station)1 round trip (M–F) [41]
Stockton CommuterModesto, Vintage Faire Park & Ride, Manteca, StocktonMAXModesto (Modesto Transportation Center) SR 99
(Vintage Faire Mall, Manteca)
Stockton (Stockton Transit Center)3 round trips (M–F) [42]

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References

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  15. "Route 21". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
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  17. "Route 23". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  18. "Route 24". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  19. "Route 25". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  20. "Route 26". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  21. "Route 28". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  22. "Route 29". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  23. "Route 30". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  24. "Route 31". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  25. "Route 32". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  26. "Route 33". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  27. "Route 35 — Escalon Transit (eTrans)". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  28. "Route 36". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  29. "Route 37". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  30. "Route 38". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  31. "Route 40 - Modesto, Grayson, Westley, Patterson". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  32. "Route 41". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  33. "Route 42". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  34. "Route 35 — Formerly Ceres Area Transit". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  35. "Route 45E - Patterson/Turlock". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  36. "Route 45W - Gustine, Newman, Crows Landing, Patterson". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  37. "Route 60 - Modesto / Riverbank / Oakdale". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  38. "Route 61 - Modesto, Empire, Waterford, Hickman, Hughson, Ceres". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  39. "ACE Commuter". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  40. "BART Commuter - Modesto". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
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  42. "Stockton Commuter". Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 March 2022.